Why is Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad still in power?

The Syrian leader has survived for seven years the conflict that has destroyed most of the country he leads.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has survived seven years of devastating war and international pressure to withdraw.

Although attacks in Syria by the US and the Allies hit his power attempt throughout the country, there is little thought it is a step towards the end of his presidency.

Bashar al-Assad was born in Damascus 53 years ago. His father, Hafez Assad, was president of Syria and in power from 1971 to 2000.

In 1988 Bashar al-Assad worked as a doctor in the Syrian Army. He specializes in ophthalmology in London.

When his brother Bassel died in a traffic accident, he returned to Syria to carry out his role as heir.

In three years he became a colonel.

He was elected president four months after his father's death, becoming Syria's 19th president. It has been held since July 17, 2000, when it received 97 percent of the vote.

Assad continued his father's brutal regime that ended in civil war, halting reforms.

Protests in the country began in 2011 when people called for civil reforms and rights. The Syrian army was violent responses to them.

According to a study by the Syrian Human Rights Network, Assad's forces have killed 94 percent of civilians who have lost their lives in Syria since 2011.

It has been constantly criticised by world leaders for using chemical weapons against civilians.